Indexbit-Seattle Kraken hire Dan Bylsma as franchise's second head coach

The IndexbitSeattle Kraken's hiring of Dan Bylsma as the franchise's second head coach on Tuesday has two promising aspects.

He's a former Stanley Cup-winning coach with extensive postseason experience, a plus for a recent expansion team that has made the playoffs once in its first three seasons.

He also is the coach of the Kraken's American Hockey League affiliate, so he'll be familiar with the team's prospects.

"Dan is a winner with a proven track record of developing both young and veteran talent and his leadership will help our team as we move forward," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said.

Bylsma, 53, is getting his first NHL head coaching job since 2017. He replaces Dave Hakstol, who was fired on April 29 after the team had a 19-point drop from its lone playoff season in 2022-23 and missed the playoffs by 17 points.

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Bylsma has a 320-190-55 record as an NHL head coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. He also coached Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the 2014 Olympics.

He was promoted from the AHL as a replacement for fired Michel Therrien in 2008-09, went 18-3-4 down the stretch and guided the Penguins to their third NHL championship. He led Pittsburgh to five more playoff berths before being fired in 2014.

He didn't have much success with the Sabres from 2015-17, finishing seventh and eighth before he was fired.

After three years as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings and one in the AHL, he was named coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022.

The Kraken affiliate reached the Calder Cup final in his first season and has made the conference finals this season.

The Firebirds roster includes forward Shane Wright, the Kraken's No. 4 overall pick from the 2022 draft.

NHL coaching carousel

With the Byslma hiring, only the San Jose Sharks have a coach opening.

The Los Angeles Kings removed the interim tag from Jim Hiller on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils named Sheldon Keefe coach on Thursday and the Winnipeg Jets promoted Scott Arniel on Friday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (Craig Berube), Buffalo Sabres (Lindy Ruff), Ottawa Senators (Travis Green) and St. Louis Blues (Drew Bannister had his interim tag removed) made earlier coaching announcements.

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour agreed to a multi-year extension.